India’s pace quartet’s purposeful and tactical bowling led to England’s demolition on the final evening at Lord’s but it would be naive to imagine that the conditions would remain the same for the remaining three Tests at Leeds, The Oval and Old Trafford.

The second half of the English summer generally tends to be drier with pitches assisting the spinners from the third day onwards. So feels Mushtaq Mohammad, the Birmingham-based former Pakistan captain and leg spinner, who understands the English conditions well.

All the England wickets to fall in the series have gone to the fast bowlers with Ravindra Jadeja, the lone spinner to play for India, going wicketless in his 44 overs. But that can’t change Mushtaq’s belief that India should play Ravichandran Ashwin in the remaining Tests simply because Jadeja has been a failure.

“India’s batting has been under par and the bowling has carried them so far... The pacers have a done a great job without which they wouldn’t have been 1-0 up. They kept the momentum going in the two Tests... They have hunted in packs, one picking up the cudgels from where the other left.

“It might sound stupid but India could have done with three pacers... Ashwin should have played simply because he is a match-winner. He gives extra leverage to the side when the ball is turning. India should include him in the XI because the ball will turn after three days. One pacer can then sit out,” Mushtaq told The Telegraph on Thursday.

Mushtaq feels Jadeja needs to work on his bowling and Ishant has to make way for Ashwin.

“The pace quartet has been fabulous... Young and ready to bowl their hearts out. Both (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Siraj are quick and can rattle you with pace while Shami has been consistent. If one pacer has to sit out I would prefer Ishant.

“Ashwin will provide the perfect balance. Jadeja has to work on his bowling. He is giving away too many full length and half volleys making it easier for the batsmen... His batting is good and he brings positive energy on the field but his bowling is neither here nor there... Not acceptable in Test matches,” Mushtaq argued.

“Ashwin can be an important part of India’s gameplan. He can also bat well, better than Ishant. I would always play two spinners at this time of the year. You have to be able to turn the ball on spinning wickets. Jadeja is disappointing and Ashwin must play.”

The former Pakistan captain has been impressed with Virat Kohli’s captaincy. “Virat has been aggressive and keen to make things happen. He is inspirational and can motivate the side single-handedly. That’s his way of expressing things.

“It’s not that I agree with his thinking all the time. Sometimes he does go over the top but if you know him you will understand he’s a good person at heart.”

Mushtaq is still giving England a chance. “Joe Root’s team has been let down by batting. The top-3 have been vulnerable along with Jos Buttler. But you can’t rule them out, they are capable of turning it around on home turf if they get enough runs.”